Tourist Board pledges Rs. 4 m for Handicraft Display Centre

by Irangika Range

The Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) has pledged Rs.4 million to the Small and Rural Industries and Self-Employment Ministry to set up a Handicrafts Display Centre at the Janakala Kendraya premises in Battaramulla. This aims to provide direct market facilities for tourists to purchase locally made handicrafts.

Minister S. B. Nawinna said that this programme targets to popularise local handicrafts among tourists. Stalls comprising the range of handicrafts utilising a variety of indigenous and fascinating designs will be displayed for tourists at the centre.

The Ministry hopes to prepare tourist focused strategies with the assistance of the SLTB to increase tourist arrivals to the centre.

It has planned to implement bus services for tourists who are in Colombo to take them to this centre. It will also have close connections with the SLTB and the tourist cluster expecting more tourists arrival to the venue.

He also said that the Ministry can help the tourists if they need to export these items to their countries. "It is very happy to note that the SLTB has come forward to popularise local handicraft items in foreign countries which will increase their demand as well," he said. The Ministry expects to recruit a well-trained sales team for the centre.

'We will provide English knowledge and persuade them the value of customer service which will help to attract more foreign customers to the centre. It also expects to educate craftsmen to produce value added products on various designs, colours following novel trends which will enhance craftsmen's income as well.

The Ministry will implement PR campaigns, build fascinating banners and set up a tourist information centre at the place to get more tourists to visit and purchase goods.